Patient-specific humeral guide designs

ABSTRACT

A humeral cut guide system for a humeral head comprises: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient&#39;s humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient&#39;s bicipital groove; a first protrusion extending from the registration member and having a first surgeon-engaging surface for manipulation by a surgeon; and a cut guide plate connected to and extending away from the registration member such that, upon the bone-engagement member mating and nesting with the specific patient&#39;s humeral head, the cut guide plate is spaced apart from the humeral head, wherein the cut guide plate defines an elongate slot.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of Kehres et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/750,325, entitled “PATIENT-SPECIFIC HUMERAL GUIDE DESIGNS,” filed on Jun. 25, 2015, the benefit of priority of which is claimed hereby, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to humeral cut guide members.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

During shoulder arthroplasty, the humeral bone may require resurfacing or resecting for receipt of a shoulder implant. Prior to surgery, it is common for the surgeon to take various images via X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, or PET of the surgical area including the humeral bone. Based on these images, the surgeon can determine the best course of action for resurfacing or resecting the humeral bone, as well as determine whether the primary procedure for shoulder repair is an anatomical or reverse arthroplasty. During the surgery, however, it is not uncommon for the surgeon to determine that the preselected courses of action are not suitable for the patient. If the course of action changes during surgery, new instruments may be required to properly complete the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone before completing the arthroplasty procedure.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides a humeral cut guide system for a humeral head comprises: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; a first protrusion extending from the registration member and having a first surgeon-engaging surface for manipulation by a surgeon; and a cut guide plate connected to and extending away from the registration member such that, upon the bone-engagement member mating and nesting with the specific patient's humeral head, the cut guide plate is spaced apart from the humeral head, wherein the cut guide plate defines an elongate slot.

The present disclosure also provides a humeral cut guide system for a humeral head comprising: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate an nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; an elongate member extending from the registration member; and a cut guide plate having a connection portion with a socket configured to receive the elongate member such that a position of the cut guide plate relative to the specific patient's humeral head is selectively adjustable along the elongate member in an infinite number of positions.

The present disclosure also provides a method of resecting or resurfacing a humeral head using a humeral cut guide comprising: positioning a bone-engagement member along a humeral head surface of a humeral bone; positioning a registration member along a bicipital groove surface of a humeral bone; squeezing the registration member and the bone-engagement member to ensure seating of the humeral cut guide; sliding a cut guide plate along an elongate member extending from the humeral cut guide to engage the humeral head surface of the humeral bone; and resecting or resurfacing the humeral head using a cutting device engaged with the cut guide plate.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art implant for reverse shoulder arthroplasty;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the prior art implant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is another perspective environmental view of a modified humeral cut guide member according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a modified humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21A shows an anterior perspective view of a humeral cut guide system attached to a humeral bone and having a cut guide plate configured to smoothly slide on a cut guide member.

FIG. 21B shows a lateral perspective view of the humeral cut guide system of FIG. 21A having protrusions to facilitate attachment of the system to the humeral bone by a surgeon.

FIG. 21C shows another perspective view of the humeral cut guide system of FIG. 21A attached to the humeral bone to show the cut guide member and the protrusions.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure generally provide patient-specific surgical instruments that include, for example, alignment guides, drill guides, and other tools for use in shoulder joint replacement, shoulder resurfacing procedures and other procedures related to the shoulder joint or the various bones of the shoulder joint, including the humeral head. The present disclosure can be applied to anatomic shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement. The patient-specific instruments can be used either with conventional implant components or with patient-specific implant components and/or bone grafts that are prepared using computer-assisted image methods according to the present disclosure. Computer modeling for obtaining three-dimensional images of the patient's anatomy using medical scans of the patient's anatomy (such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-rays, PET, etc.), the patient-specific prosthesis components and the patient-specific guides, templates and other instruments, can be prepared using various commercially available CAD programs and/or software available, for example, by Object Research Systems or ORS, Montreal, Canada.

The patient-specific instruments and any associated patient-specific implants and bone grafts can be generally designed and manufactured based on computer modeling of the patient's 3-D anatomic image generated from medical image scans including, for example, X-rays, MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound or other medical scans. The patient-specific instruments can have a three-dimensional engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and match in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software. Very small irregularities need not be incorporated in the three-dimensional engagement surface. The patient-specific instruments can include custom-made guiding formations, such as, for example, guiding bores or cannulated guiding posts or cannulated guiding extensions or receptacles that can be used for supporting or guiding other instruments, such as drill guides, reamers, cutters, cutting guides and cutting blocks or for inserting guiding pins, K-wire, or other fasteners according to a surgeon-approved pre-operative plan.

In various embodiments, the patient-specific instruments of the present disclosure can also include one or more patient-specific guide members for receiving and guiding a tool, such as a drill or saw at corresponding patient-specific insertion points and orientations relative to a selected anatomic or reverse axis for the specific patient. The patient-specific instruments can include guiding or orientation formations and features for guiding the implantation of patient-specific or off-the-shelf implants associated with the surgical procedure. The geometry, shape and orientation of the various features of the patient-specific instruments, as well as various patient-specific implants and bone grafts, if used, can be determined during the pre-operative planning stage of the procedure in connection with the computer-assisted modeling of the patient's anatomy. During the pre-operative planning stage, patient-specific instruments, custom, semi-custom or non-custom implants and other non-custom tools, can be selected and the patient-specific components can be manufactured for a specific-patient with input from a surgeon or other professional associated with the surgical procedure.

In the following discussion, the terms “patient-specific”, “custom-made” or “customized” are defined to apply to components, including tools, implants, portions or combinations thereof, which include certain geometric features, including surfaces, curves, or other lines, and which are made to closely conform substantially as mirror-images or negatives or complementary surfaces of corresponding geometric features or anatomic landmarks of a patient's anatomy obtained or gathered during a pre-operative planning stage based on 3-D computer images of the corresponding anatomy reconstructed from image scans of the patient by computer imaging methods. Further, patient-specific guiding features, such as, guiding apertures, guiding slots, guiding members or other holes or openings that are included in alignment guides, drill guides, cutting guides, rasps or other instruments or in implants are defined as features that are made to have positions, orientations, dimensions, shapes and/or define cutting planes and axes specific to the particular patient's anatomy including various anatomic or mechanical axes based on the computer-assisted pre-operative plan associated with the patient.

The patient-specific guide members can be configured to mate in alignment with natural anatomic landmarks by orienting and placing the corresponding alignment guide intra-operatively on top of the bone to mate with corresponding landmarks. The anatomic landmarks function as passive fiducial identifiers or fiducial markers for positioning of the various alignment guide members, drill guides or other patient-specific instruments.

The various patient-specific alignment guide members can be made of any biocompatible material, including, polymer, ceramic, metal or combinations thereof. The patient-specific alignment guide members can be disposable and can be combined or used with reusable and non-patient-specific cutting and guiding components.

More specifically, the present disclosure provides various embodiments of patient-specific humeral cut guide members for anatomic and reverse arthroplasty. The humeral cut guides of the present disclosure can have patient-specific engagement surfaces that reference various portions of the shoulder joint and include tubular drill guides, guiding bores or sleeves or other guiding formations that can accurately position guide pins for later humeral preparation and implantation procedures and for alignment purposes, including implant position control, implant version control, implant inclination control for both anatomic and reverse arthroplasty.

In the following, when a portion of a humeral guide member is described as “referencing” a portion of the anatomy, it will be understood that the referencing portion of the humeral guide member is a patient-specific portion that mirrors or is a negative of the corresponding referenced anatomic portion.

In some embodiments the humeral guide member can have built-in holes, openings or windows that allow the surgeon to mark the humeral bone or a model of the humeral bone with a marking pen, burr, scalpel, or any other device that can create markings to be used as landmarks on or in the humeral bone or humeral model. These landmarks can be used for the orientation of a secondary guide.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art reverse shoulder implant 10 is illustrated. The reverse shoulder implant 10 includes a humeral stem 12, a humeral tray 14, a humeral bearing 16, a glenosphere 18 and a baseplate 20 having a plate portion 22 and a central boss 24. The humeral stem 12 is implanted in the humeral bone 26 and has a proximal end 28 coupled via a Morse taper connection to a male taper 30 extending from a plate 32 of the humeral tray 14. The glenosphere 18 can be modular and include a head 34 articulating with the bearing 16 and an offset double-taper component 36. The double-taper component 36 has a first tapered portion 38 coupled to a corresponding tapered opening 40 of the head 34 and a second tapered portion 42 coupled to the central boss 24 of the glenoid baseplate 20. A central screw 44 passes through the baseplate 20 into the glenoid face 46 of the patient's scapula. Peripheral screws 48 are used to lock the baseplate 20 in the glenoid face 46.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, humeral bone 26 includes a planar surface 50 for abutment with plate 32 of humeral tray 14. To provide planar surface 50, humeral bone 26 is cut using a tool such as a bone saw (not shown). To properly orient the saw at the correct angle relative to humeral bone 26, the present disclosure provides a humeral cut guide system 52.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, an exemplary humeral cut guide system 52 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 52 includes a patient-specific humeral cut guide member 54. Humeral cut guide member 54 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 54 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 54 includes a bone-engagement member 58 having a bone-engagement surface 60 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, bone-engagement member 58 and bone-engagement surface 60 are each pie-shaped and specifically designed to mate and nest on a proximal portion of the lesser tuberosity 62 of humeral bone 26. An opposing surface 64 of bone-engagement member 58 defines a protrusion 66 that provides a curved contact surface 68 that allows humeral cut guide member 54 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on the humeral bone 26. In other words, the surgeon may place a finger-tip upon contact surface 68, which allows the surgeon to more easily orient the humeral cut guide member 54 in a manner that bone-engagement surface 60 properly aligns with bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26.

A curved connecting member 70 extends away from bone-engagement member 58 and connects bone-engagement member 58 with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72. Pin guide aperture 72 is aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. As illustrated, connecting member 70 is spaced apart from humeral bone 26. It should be understood, however, that connecting member 70 may be designed to abut humeral bone 26. In such a case, connecting member 70 may also include a patient-specific mating surface that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position.

A registration member 74 extends away from bone-engagement member 58 in a direction different from that of connecting member 70. Similar to bone-engagement member 58, registration member 74 includes a bone-engagement surface 76 that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position. Specifically, bone-engagement surface 76 of registration member 74 is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 74 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 80 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 58 and a distal end 82 located away from bone-engagement member 58. With the pie-shaped bone-engagement member 58 and elongated registration member 74, humeral cut guide member 54 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 in a single position with as little material as possible. In this manner, a majority (i.e., at least 75%) of humeral head 26 is exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Humeral cut guide member 54 includes a cut guide plate 84 including an elongated slot 86. As best shown in FIG. 5, cut guide plate 84 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 58 with a cylindrically-shaped member 88 that extends outward from bone-engagement member 58 in a direction different from each of connecting member 70 and registration member 74. Cylindrically-shaped member 88 extends outward from bone-engagement member 88 to an extent that cut guide plate 84 will be spaced apart from humeral head 26. By spacing cut guide plate 84 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. It should be understood, however, that cut guide plate 84 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 52, if desired.

Cut guide plate 84 includes an upper surface 90 and a lower surface 92, with elongated slot 86 positioned therebetween. Upper surface 90 includes a reinforcing rib 94 extending along an entire length of upper surface 90. Lower surface 92 defines a pair of tube-shaped apertures 96. Tube-shaped apertures are configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pair of pins (not shown) such as Steinmann pins or K-wires may be implanted in humeral bone 26, which may be used to assist in securing humeral cut guide member 54 to humeral bone 26. Alternatively, the pair of pins may be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 54. An exemplary secondary cut guide may be found in U.S. Ser. No. 14/265,577 assigned to Biomet Manufacturing, LLC. In this regard, after implantation of the pins, the humeral cut guide member 54 may be removed from humeral bone 26 with the pins remaining in place. The secondary cut guide may then be mated with the pins relative to the humeral bone 26.

Although not required, lower surface 92 may extend outward relative to upper surface 90 such that a shelf or platform 98 is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50. It should be understood that if platform 98 is used, upper surface 90 and reinforcing rib 94 may be omitted. In such a configuration, the tool blade would simply lie upon platform 98 during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 6-8, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 200 is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 200 includes a humeral cut guide member 202. Humeral cut guide member 202 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 202 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 202 includes a bone-engagement member 204 having a bone-engagement surface 206 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, bone-engagement member 204 and bone-engagement surface 206 are specifically designed to mate and nest on a distal portion of the lesser tuberosity 62 of humeral bone 26. In this regard, a bone-engagement member 204 is a curved member including an upper edge 208 located adjacent the distal portion of the less tuberosity 62, an opposing lower edge 210, and side edges 212.

As best illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8, bone-engagement member 204 wraps about a portion of humeral bone 26 in the medial direction from the bicipital groove 78. A registration member 214 is located at a first end 216 of bone-engagement member 204. Registration member 214 extends away from upper edge 208 of bone-engagement member 204 in a direction substantially orthogonal to bone-engagement member 204. Similar to bone-engagement member 204, registration member 214 includes a bone-engagement surface 218 that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position.

Specifically, bone-engagement surface 218 of registration member 214 is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 214 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 220 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 214 and a distal end 222 located away from upper edge 208. With the bone-engagement member 204 and elongated registration member 214, humeral cut guide member 204 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 at a position that allows for nearly an entirety (i.e., at least 90%) of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Humeral cut guide member 202 includes a cut guide plate 224 including an elongated slot 226. As best shown in FIG. 8, cut guide plate 224 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 214 at a second end 228 of bone-engagement member 214. Specifically, cut guide plate 224 includes an upper surface 230 and a lower surface 232, with elongated slot 226 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 232 defines a first tube-shaped aperture 234 that, in addition to being configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, connects cut guide plate 224 to second end 228. A second tube-shaped aperture 236 is located at distal end 222 of registration member 214, and is connected to cut guide plate 224 via a connecting arm 238.

Similar to the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, after drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pair of pins (not shown) such as Steinmann pins or K-wires may be implanted in humeral bone 26 using first and second tube-shaped apertures 234 and 236, which may be used to assist in securing humeral cut guide member 202 to humeral bone 26. Alternatively and as also described in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the pair of pins may be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 202.

Although cut guide plate 224 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that cut guide plate 224 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 52, if desired. By spacing cut guide plate 224 away from humeral head 26, however, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Further, although not required, lower surface 232 may extend outward relative to upper surface 230 such that a shelf or platform 98 (see FIG. 5, described above) is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Still further, it should be understood that humeral cut guide system 200 may include the curved connecting member 70, which may extend away from upper surface 230 of cut guide plate 224 and connect cut guide plate 224 member with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The pin guide aperture 72 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 300 is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 300 includes a humeral cut guide member 302. Humeral cut guide member 302 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 302 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 302 includes a bone-engagement member 304 having a bone-engagement surface 306 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, bone-engagement member 304 and bone-engagement surface 306 are specifically designed to mate and nest medially off of the proximal humeral bone 26. In this regard, a bone-engagement member 304 is a curved member including an upper edge 308 located adjacent the distal portion of the greater tuberosity 63, an opposing lower edge 310, and side edges 312. Bone-engagement member 304 wraps about a portion of humeral bone 26 laterally from the distal portion of the greater tuberosity 63 in a direction toward bicipital groove 78, and includes a first end 314 and a second end 316. Extending from second end 316 is a cut guide plate 318 including an elongated slot 320.

As best shown in FIG. 9, cut guide plate 318 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 304 at a second end 316. Cut guide plate 318 includes an upper surface 322 and a lower surface 324, with elongated slot 320 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 322 defines a first tube-shaped aperture 326 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, and after drilling of the humeral bone 26, is configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 302 to the humeral bone 26. A second tube-shaped aperture 328 may also be formed at second end 316 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, and after drilling of the humeral bone 26, is configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 302 to the humeral bone 26. The above-noted configuration allows for nearly an entirety (i.e., at least 90%) of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Although not illustrated, it should be understood that humeral cut guide system 300 may include the curved connecting member 70, which may extend away from upper surface 322 of cut guide plate 318 and connect cut guide plate 318 with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The pin guide aperture 72 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Alternatively, the curved connecting member 70 and pin guide aperture 72 may extend from upper edge 308 at a location positioned proximate first end 314.

In addition, although cut guide plate 318 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that cut guide plate 318 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 300, if desired. By spacing cut guide plate 318 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Further, although not required, lower surface 322 may extend outward relative to upper surface 320 such that a shelf or platform 98 (see FIG. 5, described above) is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Now referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 400 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 400 includes a ring-shaped patient-specific humeral cut guide member 402 that encircles the greater tuberosity 63 of the humeral head 26. Humeral cut guide member 402 is patient-specific and includes a bone-engagement surface 404 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software. Although humeral cut guide member 402 is illustrated as being ring-shaped, it should be understood that humeral cut guide member 402 may be horseshoe-shaped (FIG. 13), if desired.

Humeral cut guide member 402, in addition to bone-engagement surface 404, includes an upper surface 406 and a lower surface 408. Extending radially inward and over humeral head 26 toward a center of humeral cut guide member 402 are a plurality of pie-shaped ribs 410. Ribs 410 may include a wider proximal portion 412 unitary with humeral cut guide member 402 and a narrower distal portion 414. Alternatively, ribs 410 may include the same width along the entire length thereof. Although only three ribs 410 are illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of ribs 410 may be used, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Regardless, spaces 411 between ribs 410 allow for easier viewing of humeral head 26 by the surgeon during the surgical procedure. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 402 is designed such that at least 50% of the humeral head 26 is exposed or visible when humeral cut guide member 402 is mated thereto.

The distal portions 414 terminate at a patient specific pin guide aperture 416. Pin guide aperture 416 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Pin guide aperture 416 includes an exterior surface 418 and a bone-engagement surface 420. Bone-engagement surface 420 may be patient specifically designed pre-operatively. Further, although ribs 410 are illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that ribs 410 may abut humeral head 26 with a patient specific bone-engagement surface as well.

A cut guide plate 422 is unitary or connected to humeral cut guide member 402 by a pair of connection members 424 such that cut guide plate 422 is spaced apart from humeral bone 26. By spacing cut guide plate 422 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Cut guide plate 422 includes an upper surface 426 and a lower surface 428, with an elongated slot 430 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 428 defines a pair of tube-shaped apertures 432 that are configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, the tube-shaped apertures 432 are configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 402 to the humeral bone 26. The above-noted configuration allows for a majority of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Although cut guide plate 422 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, which is desirable to preserve soft tissue as noted above, it should be understood that cut guide plate 422 may be configured abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 400, if desired. Further, although not required, lower surface 428 may extend outward relative to upper surface 426 such that a shelf or platform 98 is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Moreover, although not illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, it should be understood that humeral cut guide member 402 may include a registration member (see, e.g., the registration member 74 in FIG. 3) similar to those described above. That is, humeral cut guide member 402 may include registration member (not shown) that extends away from humeral cut guide member 402 in a direction different from that ribs 410 including a bone-engagement surface 76 that is designed to mate and nest with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 14-20, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 500 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 500 includes a patient-specific humeral cut guide member 502. Humeral cut guide member 502 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 502 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 502 includes a bone-engagement member 504 having a bone-engagement surface 506 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 14, bone-engagement member 504 includes an elongated primary member 508 extending in a first direction (i.e., a direction parallel with a coronal plane of the body) over humeral head 26, including a pin guide aperture 510. Pin guide aperture 510 is aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guide wire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Bone-engagement member 504 also includes a pair of secondary members 512 extending substantially orthogonal to primary member 508. Secondary members 512 define a portion of bone-engagement surface 506, and assist in mating and nesting humeral cut guide member 502 in only one position on humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues.

Bone-engagement member 504 also includes a registration member 514 that is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 514 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 516 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 504 and a distal end 518 located away from bone-engagement member 504. With the primary member 508, secondary members 512, and elongated registration member 514, humeral cut guide member 504 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 in a single position with as little material as possible. In this manner, a majority of humeral head 26 is exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 502 is designed such that at least 60% of the humeral head 26 is exposed or visible when humeral cut guide member 402 is mated thereto.

Registration member 514 may also define a protrusion 520 that provides a curved contact surface 522 that allows humeral cut guide member 504 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on the humeral bone 26. In other words, the surgeon may place a finger-tip upon contact surface 522, which allows the surgeon to more easily orient the humeral cut guide member 504 in a manner that bone-engagement surface 506 properly aligns with bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26.

Humeral cut guide member 502 includes a cut guide plate 524 including an elongated slot 526. As best shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 18, and 19, cut guide plate 524 is connected to bone-engagement member 504 with a tube-shaped member 528 that extends outward from registration member 514 such that cut guide plate 524 may be spaced apart from humeral head 26. By spacing cut guide plate 524 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Although tube-shaped member 528 extends outward from bone-engagement member 504 to an extent that cut guide plate 524 will be spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood, however, that the location of cut guide plate 524 may be adjusted along tube-shaped member 528 such that cut guide plate 524 may be moved closer to humeral bone 26, if desired.

More specifically, cut guide plate 524 includes a connection portion 530 at an end 532 thereof that is configured to mate with tube-shaped member 528. Further, connection portion 530 may include a mating aperture 534 that is designed to mate with one of a plurality of protrusions 536 formed along a surface 539 of tube-shaped member 528. In this regard, connection portion 530 may be urged along tube-shaped member 528 to adjust the position of cut guide plate 524 relative to humeral head 26. As connection portion 530 is urged along tube-shaped member 528, the mating aperture 534 will mate with protrusions 536 such that connection portion 530 may be positioned at the selected protrusion 536. Connection portion 530 may then only be moved when a force sufficient to disengage the mating aperture 534 from the selected protrusion 536 is provided to the connection portion 530. In this manner, the position of cut guide plate 524 may be selectively adjusted based on the preferences of the surgeon during the shoulder arthroplasty. It should be understood that although cut guide plate 524 has been described above as being movable along tube-shaped member 528, the present disclosure contemplates configurations where cut guide plate 524 is immovably fixed to tube-shaped member 528.

As best shown in FIG. 16, cut guide plate 524 includes an upper member 538 spaced apart from a lower member 540, with elongated slot 526 defined by a gap 542 between upper member 538 and lower member 540. Lower member 540 defines an elongated aperture 544 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pin (not shown) such as a Steinmann pin or K-wire may be implanted in humeral bone 26, which may be used to assist in positioning humeral cut guide member 502 relative to humeral bone 26. In the illustrated embodiment, elongated aperture 544 travels parallel to tube-shaped member 528 to allow cut guide plate 524 to move along tube-shaped member 528 without interference from the pin (not shown). If cut guide plate 524 is immovable fixed to tube-shaped member 528, however, it will be appreciated that elongated aperture 544 may extend in a non-parallel manner relative to tube-shaped member 528 to assist in securing cut guide member 502 to humeral bone 526.

Although only a single elongated aperture 544 is illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that a pair of elongated apertures 544 may be used to allow for a pair of pins to be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 502. An exemplary secondary cut guide may be found in U.S. Ser. No. 14/265,577 assigned to Biomet Manufacturing, LLC. In this regard, after implantation of the pins, the humeral cut guide member 502 may be removed from humeral bone 26 with the pins remaining in place. The secondary cut guide may then be mated with the pins relative to the humeral bone 26.

Although not required, lower member 540 may define a surface 546 that extends outward relative to upper member 538 such that a shelf or platform 548 is formed. Platform 548 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Lastly, as best shown in FIG. 20, a support bar 550 may fix upper member 538 to lower member 540. Support bar 550 is formed at an opposite end 552 of cut guide plate 524 relative to tube-shaped member 528, and assist in maintaining the proper gap 542 between upper member 538 and lower member 540. Notwithstanding, it should be understood that support bar 550 is removable during surgery by cutting support bar 550 with the saw or blade for resecting or resurfacing humeral bone 26, as desired by the surgeon. It should be understood that although tube-shaped member 528 is illustrated as fixing cut guide plate 524 in one position relative to humeral head 26, tube-shaped member 528 may be adjustable as illustrated in FIGS. 14-19.

FIG. 21A shows an anterior perspective view of humeral cut guide system 600 attached to humeral bone 26 and having cut guide plate 624 configured to smoothly slide on cut guide member 602. FIG. 21B shows a lateral perspective view of humeral cut guide system 600 attached to humeral bone 26 and having protrusions 620A and 620B to facilitate manipulation of cut guide system 600 by a surgeon. FIG. 21C shows another perspective view of humeral cut guide system 600 attached to humeral bone 26 to show cut guide member 602, cut guide plate 624 and protrusions 620A and 620B.

Humeral cut guide system 600 includes patient-specific humeral cut guide member 602 and cut guide plate 624. Cut guide member 602 includes bone-engagement member 604, which is defined by primary member 608 that includes pin guide 610 and supports 612 and 613. Cut guide member 602 also includes registration member 614, which includes first registration portion 616 and second registration portion 618. Cut guide member 602 also includes first protrusion 620A connected to first registration portion 616, and second protrusion 620B connected between second registration portion 618 and primary member 608. First protrusion 620A includes support 622.

Cut guide plate 624 is connected to cut guide member 602 via elongate member 628. Cut guide plate 624 includes connection portion 630, socket 634, slot 626 defined by gap 642, elongate members 638 and 640, apertures 644A and 644B and support bar 650.

Bone-engagement member 604 includes first patient-specific bone-engagement surface 660. Registration member 614 includes second patient-specific bone-engagement surface 662 and third patient-specific bone-engagement surface 664. Support 622 includes fifth patient-specific bone-engagement surface 666.

Now referring to FIGS. 21A-21C, humeral cut guide system 600 illustrates another example according to an aspect of the present disclosure having smooth elongate member 628 and protrusions 620A and 620B. Humeral cut guide system 600 includes patient-specific humeral cut guide member 602. Humeral cut guide member 602 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 602 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 602 includes bone-engagement member 604 having bone-engagement surface 660 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software. Humeral cut guide member 602 also includes registration member 614 having surfaces 662 and 664 that are patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with bicipital groove 78 (FIG. 6) of humeral bone 26.

Registration member 614 is an elongated tab-shaped member having proximal end 618 unitary with or connected to bone-engagement member 604, and distal end 616 located away from bone-engagement member 604. With primary member 608, supports 612 and 613, and elongated registration member 614, humeral cut guide member 602 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 in a single position with as little material as possible. In this manner, a majority of humeral head 26 is exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral bone 26. Furthermore, humeral cut guide member 602 is flexible so as to be able to bend into position on humeral bone 26 with surgeon assistance through use of protrusions 620A and 620B.

In the example of humeral cut guide member 602, distal end 616 includes protrusion 620A and support 622 that further provide registration with humeral head 26 via patient-specific surface 666. In particular, support 622 extends the width of registration portion 616 to increase the patient-specific fit with humeral bone 26. Protrusion 620A also includes curved contact surface 668 that allows registration member 614 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on humeral bone 26. Sidewalls 670A and 670B connect to and diverge away from the pair of supports 612A and 612B, respectively, and are joined by contact surface 668. Registration member 614 may also include protrusion 620B that provides curved contact surface 672 that allows humeral cut guide member 604 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on the humeral bone 26. The surgeon may place a finger-tip upon contact surface 672 and a thumb on contact surface 668, which allows the surgeon to squeeze registration member 614 to orient the humeral cut guide member 604 and ensure that bone-engagement surfaces 660, 662, 664 and 666 properly align with bone surfaces of humeral bone 26. Cut guide member 602 can be made of flexible material, such as polymers, to allow registration member 614 and bone-engagement member 604 to flex to accommodate slight imperfections in patient-specific surfaces 660-666 or misalignments in registration member 614 and bone-engagement member 604. Thus, a surgeon can press down on protrusions 620A and 620B to force patient-specific surfaces 660-666 into position, which may cause slight bending of registration member 614 and bone-engagement member 604 in the process.

As best illustrated in FIG. 21A, bone-engagement member 604 includes an elongated primary member 608 extending in a first direction (i.e., a direction parallel with a coronal plane of the body) over humeral bone 26, including pin guide aperture 610. Pin guide aperture 610 is aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guide wire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be prepared, (e.g., reamed) at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Bone-engagement member 604 also includes a pair of supports 612A and 612B and a pair of supports 613A and 613B extending substantially orthogonal to primary member 608. Supports 612 and 613 define portions of bone-engagement surface 660, and assist in mating and nesting humeral cut guide member 602 in only one position on humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues.

Humeral cut guide member 602 includes cut guide plate 624 including elongated slot 626. Cut guide plate 624 is connected to registration member 614 with a tube shaped, elongate member 628 that extends outward from registration member 614 such that cut guide plate 624 may be spaced apart from humeral bone 26. By spacing cut guide plate 624 away from humeral bone 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral bone 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Although elongate member 628 extends outward from registration member 614 to an extent that cut guide plate 624 will be spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood, however, that the location of cut guide plate 624 may be adjusted along elongate member 628 such that cut guide plate 624 may be moved closer to humeral bone 26, if desired.

More specifically, cut guide plate 624 includes a connection portion 630 at end 632 thereof that is configured to mate with elongate member 628. Further, connection portion 630 may include mating socket 634 that is designed to allow elongate member 628 to smoothly slide therein. In this regard, connection portion 630 may be urged along elongate member 628 to adjust the position of cut guide plate 624 relative to humeral bone 26 in an infinite number of positions. As connection portion 630 is urged along elongate member 628, the T-shape of elongate member 628 slides within the corresponding T-shape of socket 634. Connection portion 630 may then be moved when a force sufficient to overcome the friction between socket 634 and elongate member 628 is applied. Once the force is removed, the frictional engagement between the T-shaped members holds cut guide plate 624 in the desired location without the aid of protrusions 536 and aperture 534 (FIG. 14). In this manner, the position of cut guide plate 624 may be selectively adjusted based on the preferences of the surgeon during the shoulder arthroplasty. Connection portion 630 can include flange 674 that can be grasped by a surgeon to facilitate movement of cut guide plate 624 on elongate member 628. It should be understood that although cut guide plate 624 has been described above as being movable along elongate member 628, the present disclosure contemplates configurations where cut guide plate 624 is immovably fixed to elongate member 628.

As best shown in FIG. 21A, cut guide plate 624 includes upper member 638 spaced apart from lower member 640, with elongated slot 626 defined by gap 642 between upper member 638 and lower member 640. Lower member 640 defines elongated apertures 644A and 644B that are configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pin (not shown) such as a Steinmann pin or K-wire may be implanted in humeral bone 26, which may be used to assist in positioning humeral cut guide member 602 relative to humeral bone 26. In the illustrated embodiment, elongated apertures 644A and 644B travel parallel to elongate member 628 to allow cut guide plate 624 to move along elongate member 628 without interference from the pin (not shown). If cut guide plate 624 is immovably fixed to elongate member 628, however, it will be appreciated that elongated apertures 644A and 644B may extend in a non-parallel manner relative to elongate member 628 to assist in securing cut guide member 602 to humeral bone 26. Although a pair of elongated apertures 644A and 644B are illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that more or fewer elongated aperture may be used.

Although not required, lower member 640 may define a surface, such as surface 546 of FIG. 14, that extends outward relative to upper member 638 such that a shelf or platform is formed. The platform allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of humeral bone 26 to form a planar surface.

As shown in FIG. 21A, support bar 650 may fix upper member 638 to lower member 640. Support bar 650 is formed at an opposite end 652 of cut guide plate 624 relative to end 632 of elongate member 628. Support bar 650 assists in maintaining the proper gap 642 between upper member 638 and lower member 640. Notwithstanding, it should be understood that support bar 650 is removable during surgery by cutting support bar 650 with the saw or blade for resecting or resurfacing humeral bone 26, as desired by the surgeon. It should be understood that although elongate member 628 is illustrated as fixing cut guide plate 624 in an infinite number of positions relative to humeral head 26, tube-shaped member 628 may be adjustable as illustrated in FIGS. 14-19 into a plurality of discrete positions.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

VARIOUS NOTES & EXAMPLES

Example 1 can include or use subject matter such as a humeral cut guide system for a humeral head, the humeral cut guide system comprising: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; a first protrusion extending from the registration member and having a first surgeon-engaging surface for manipulation by a surgeon; and a cut guide plate connected to and extending away from the registration member such that, upon the bone-engagement member mating and nesting with the specific patient's humeral head, the cut guide plate is spaced apart from the humeral head, wherein the cut guide plate defines an elongate slot.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include a second protrusion extending from a junction between the bone-engagement member and the registration member.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include a second protrusion including: a pair of supports extending from respective sides of the registration portion; a pair of sidewalls connected to and diverging away from the pair of supports; and a second surgeon-engaging surface connecting the pair of sidewalls to each other.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 2-3 can optionally include a registration member that is flexible between the first and second protrusions.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4 can optionally include a bone-engagement member and a registration member that are comprised of a polymer material.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 4-5 can optionally include a registration member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having the second patient-specific bone engagement surface and the second portion having a third patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6 can optionally include a first protrusion including a registration flange extending from a juncture of the registration member and the first protrusion.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally include a registration flange comprising a curved body having an inner surface for contacting bone and an outer surface for engaging a thumb of a surgeon.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally include an inner surface that is shaped to mate on a lateral surface of a humeral bone opposite a humeral head.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 8-9 can optionally include an inner surface that is patient-specific and an outer surface that includes a concave contour.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10 can optionally include: an elongate member extending from the registration member; and a connection portion connected to the cut guide plate; wherein the elongate member is configured to smoothly slide along the connection portion.

In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include an elongate member that is infinitely positionable along the connection portion.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-12 cab optionally include an elongate member that has a T-shape and a connection portion that has a corresponding T-shaped socket.

Example 14 can include or use subject matter such as a humeral cut guide system for a humeral head, comprising: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; an elongate member extending from the registration member; and a cut guide plate having a connection portion with a socket configured to receive the elongate member such that a position of the cut guide plate relative to the specific patient's humeral head is selectively adjustable along the elongate member in an infinite number of positions.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 can optionally include an elongate member that is configured to smoothly slide along the socket of the connection portion.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-15 can optionally include an elongate member that has a T-shape and a slot of the connection portion that has a corresponding T-shaped socket.

Example 17 can include or use subject matter such as a method of resecting or resurfacing a humeral head using a humeral cut guide, the method comprising: positioning a bone-engagement member along a humeral head surface of a humeral bone; positioning a registration member along a bicipital groove surface of a humeral bone; squeezing the registration member and the bone-engagement member to ensure seating of the humeral cut guide; sliding a cut guide plate along an elongate member extending from the humeral cut guide to engage the humeral head surface of the humeral bone; and resecting or resurfacing the humeral head using a cutting device engaged with the cut guide plate.

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 can optionally include manipulating the humeral cut guide using a pair of protrusions extending from opposite ends of the registration member.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 can optionally include a bone-engagement member and a registration member that include first and second patient-specific surfaces, respectively.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 17-19 can optionally include smoothly sliding the cut guide plate along the elongate member through an infinitely small number of positions to reach a resecting or resurfacing position.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented at least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform methods as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computer readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form portions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

The claimed invention is:
 1. A method of resecting or resurfacing a humeral head using a humeral cut guide, the method comprising: positioning a bone-engagement member along a humeral head surface of a humeral bone; positioning a registration member along a bicipital groove surface of a humeral bone; squeezing the registration member and the bone-engagement member to cause bending of the registration member relative to the bone-engagement member and thereby ensure seating of the humeral cut guide; sliding a cut guide plate along an elongate member extending from the humeral cut guide to engage the humeral head surface of the humeral bone; and resecting or resurfacing the humeral head using a cutting device engaged with the cut guide plate.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising manipulating the humeral cut guide using first and second protrusions extending from opposite ends of the registration member, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are concavely contoured to engage a finger of a user of the humeral cut guide system.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the bone-engagement member and the registration member include first and second patient-specific surfaces, respectively.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising smoothly sliding the cut guide plate along the elongate member to reach a resecting or resurfacing position.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein resecting or resurfacing the humeral head using the cutting device engaged with the cut guide plate comprises sliding a cutting blade of the cutting device along a platform extending from the cut guide plate.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bone-engagement member comprises an elongated primary member and a pair of secondary members extending substantially orthogonaly to the elongated primary member, further comprising positioning the pair of secondary members along the humeral head to stabilize the humeral cut guide.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning a pin guide aperture in the bone-engagement member such that a first pin is configured to be guided through the pin guide aperture to extend into the humeral head; and positioning an aperture in the cut guide plate such that a second pin is configured to be guided through the aperture to extend into the humeral head, the aperture extending along an axis parallel to the elongate member.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein resecting or resurfacing the humeral head using the cutting device engaged with the cut guide plate comprises cutting through a support bar coupling an upper member and a lower member forming an elongate slot in the cut guide plate.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the humeral cut guide is fabricated from a polymeric material to facilitate bending.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the humeral cut guide continuously engages the humeral bone along a path comprising the bone-engagement member, an interface between the bone-engagement member and the registration member and the registration member; and squeezing of the registration member and the bone-engagement member ensures seating of the humeral cut guide along the path.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating the humeral cut guide using a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from the registration member.
 12. A method of resecting or resurfacing a humeral head using a humeral cut guide member including a bone-engagement member that includes a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head, and including a cut guide plate connected to the bone-engagement member, the method comprising: affixing the humeral cut guide member to the only one position of the specific patient's humeral head; selectively adjusting a position of the cut guide plate relative to the specific patient's humeral head by moving the cut guide plate along an elongate member; orienting a proximal end of a registration member connected to the humeral cut guide member into the specific patient's bicipital groove, the registration member being connected to the humeral cut guide member and including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; wherein: the proximal end of the registration member is connected to a first end of the bone-engagement member and to the elongate member; and a distal end of the registration member extends from the proximal end and is connected to a first protrusion; and manipulating the humeral cut guide member using the first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from the proximal end of the registration member proximate the bone-engagement member.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging a support extending from the first protrusion across a portion of a surface of a humeral bone of the humeral head.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising smoothly sliding the cut guide plate along the elongate member to reach a resecting or resurfacing position.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the elongate member has a T-shape and the cut guide plate includes a connection portion having a corresponding T-shaped socket.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising incrementally sliding the cut guide plate along the elongate member through engagement of an aperture with protrusions to reach a resecting or resurfacing position.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the registration member is unitary with the bone-engagement member. 